travelgott-blog

[travelgott-blog]

Wilsons Promontory Park: What do I need to know?

Are you near Melbourne and want to visit Wilsons Promontory Nationalpark? Check this out! #vanlife #backpacking

The Wilsons Promontory National Park is one of Australia’s most popular national parks, being on one hand relatively close to the metropolis of Melbourne and, on the other hand, its campground is very luxurious compared to other national parks. There are hot water and electricity – pure luxury for backpackers. 🙂

But the national park is not only ideal for a warm shower and to charge electronic…

[travelgott-blog]

Between Broome and Port Hedland: Jobs for Working Holiday Maker

Between Broome and Port Hedland: Jobs for Working Holiday Maker. #backpacking #vanlife #PortHedland

Port Hedland is popular among backpackers and working holiday makers who want to earn a nice amount of money in no time in this mining town. It was incredibly easy some time ago. As the mining boom has weakened a bit, it is now not thaaaaat easy anymore. But don’t let yourself encourage you!

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

On the way between Broome and Port Hedland

There is…

[travelgott-blog]

Exmouth is best known for the Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef and Coral Bay. The city itself is absolutely not worth seeing. If you come from Karijini National Park you should do the grocery shopping in Tom Price.

Exmouth

The IGA supermarket in Exmouth is relatively more expensive. The beaches east of Exmouth are not impressive, e.g. Town Beach (at the city entrance on the right side of the street). Here, however, there are public toilets with showers.

Visitor Center

If you have just arrived in the city, you should get a map at the visitor center. The Exmouth Visitor Center is on the main road, just straight towards the city center. It is on the right side of the street – you can’t miss it. In the city map, all public toilets are marked and other important places.

Tip: Whale watching, swim with whale sharks and sea turtles

In the north of Exmouth you can find the lighthouse on a hill. Here, as in so many places in Australia, the sunset is spectacular to watch. During the whale season you can also see plenty of whales passing by along the coast – an absolute priceless and free happening. This event takes place between July and October.

In the Australian autumn (March to June) you can swim in Exmouth with the largest species of fish, the whale shark. In the summer months you can watch the sea turtles laying eggs on the beach.

Near the lighthouse you can see a shipwreck. This looks very cool at low tide. From the lighthouse you can also see a satellite station of NASA.

Emu-Familie in Exmouth

Wale Watching in Exmouth

Schiffswrack in Exmouth

Leuchtturm von Exmouth bei Sonnenuntergang

NASA Station und Wale im Hintergrund

Whale Watching vom Land aus bei Exmouth

In the city map of the Visitor Center, these things are all marked.

Cheap refueling and gas stations

The fuel prices in this part of Australia are around $1.7. Gasoline on the West Coast, like many other things, is more expensive than on the East Coast. The get the cheapest gas at the gast station by the caravan park, right next to the lighthouse.

Cape Range National Park

On the west coast of Exmouth is the Cape Range National Park. Admission is $11 as for all National Parks in Western Australia. The entrance fee must be paid as you will be stopped at the park entrance.

Camping in Cape Range

There are some campsites in the park. The payment for these campsites is a chapter in itself: When entering the park, you will be asked if you want to stay in the park for the night (or more) or not. Whether you say yes or no does not change anything at first. However, the stuff at the entrance can give hints, which camping spot could be free and which not.

So, should you have any possible intention to sleep there, in any case, answer with “yes”. You will be told by the stuff, that in case the camping spot really is free, to leave something there, camping chairs for example. This is how you reserve the spot. Once you have done that, you are supposed to drive back to the visitor center of the park, which is at the entrance of the park, to pay the 7 dollars per person per night fee.

You can cheat with the number of people when you pay the overstay fee. Furthermore, the park expects that someone who found a campsite in the national park drives all the way back to pay the fee and come back. Depending on your camp spot, you can easily make an extra 50 kilometers just to pay the fee.

This is relatively little if you travel Australia by car, but relatively much just to pay this camping fee. In short: You can pay the fee or even not! If caught, just say you didn’t know.

Our Experience

Kristallklares Wasser an der Coral Bay in Cape Range

Turquois Bay – Cape Range Nationalpark

Schutz im einzigen Baum weit und breit im Cape Range Park

Kängurus in Cape Range

Campingplatz in Cape Range Nationalpark

In any case, during our stay at the Cape Range we didn’t go through all this effort: The next day we were woken up by the park ranger at 9 o’clock in the morning. He only asked us if we would stay another night (the following night we could have paid directly to him), otherwise, we would have to leave the pitch until 10 o’clock.

He wished us a good trip and nothing else happened. We believe that nobody in the park knows exactly who paid for what and what not.

In any case, here it works the other way around as in the Karijini National Park: You pay the parking fee of $11, but waived $7 per person per night.

ATTENTION: If you leave the park at night and want to come back, you will have to pay the $11 entry fee again. If you do not find a campsite, you can easily get in a proper campsite or on its access road. In that case, you should get up early – about 7 o’clock in the morning to avoid problems.

What to do in Cape Range?

Cape Range offers several different beaches. At Torquise Bay, you can snorkel and sunbathe on a sandy beach, while at the Oyster Stack there are small cliffs that invite you to snorkel.

Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, this reef is literally a few meters from the coast. Sometimes you really do not have to swim farther than 15 meters. Further out you can also see the waves as they built up on the reef – up to 2 meters.

On the beach itself, the waves are extremely quiet. Those who snorkel off the beaten track can not only find much colorful fish, but also more reef sharks and turtles. There is no danger from reef sharks. Turtles, in particular, feel annoyed by the crowds at the central points, such as Torquise Bay and Oyster Stack, they move to less crowded places.

Insider Tip

If you want to see turtles and reef sharks, we recommend snorkeling at the beach accesses from the campsites where there are hardly any people. With a little luck, you can see turtles and reef sharks right from the shore already.

Turtles can also be found, perhaps even easier, in the north of Cape Range, on the beaches around the lighthouse. Although these animals are relatively playful, one sometimes only sees an incredibly fast shadow passing by because they do not always feel like playing with humans.

Hiking in the Cape Range Park

The Cape Range National Park also offers a hike to a gorge – the Mandu Mandu Gorge. The gorge cannot be compared to Karijinis. But the main reason to visit Cape Range is to go snorkeling and the incredibly colorful underwater world.

In the Cape Range you can easily spend 2 pleasant days. Especially in the evening hours and at night the park becomes scattered with wallabies and kangaroos to watch and run around with. With a little luck, you will also see emus in the area.

Coral Bay

The bay of Coral Bay is beautiful. A few meters from the beach, the sea becomes relatively deep, so you can dive deeper or snorkel as in Cape Range National Park. However, or perhaps because of the depth, the underwater world is less colorful.

Coral Bay in Westaustralien

Coral Bay Western Australia

Hitzegewitter an der Coral Bay

Nach dem Hitzegewitter – Coral Bay, Australien

Backpacker Tip

Coral Bay is very expensive though. Backpackers should avoid shopping here. Essential supermarket products like bread or milk are 3-4 times more expensive. The seaside resort of Coral Bay cannot be missed. Just in front of it is a parking lot.

Just opposite the beach or parking lot is also a campsite where you can get in without control to use the local bathing facilities. Showers etc. are really excellent.

Shortly before the public beach are also public toilets (well signposted), but of course not in such a top condition as the private ones in the campsite. But showers and water are available.

The beach of Coral Bay invites you for a walk. However, apart from the beach, the village does not have much to offer. But brochures about the area can help. The village is known for the Manta Rays, which are relatively numerous here, but also for the Whale Sharks between March and June.

Camping in Coral Bay

If you want to spend a few pleasant days on the beach here, you can also camp here undisturbed and for free: Right at the junction of the highway in the direction of Coral Bay, a dirt road goes north. Right by the road sign, you can’t miss it.

Follow this dirt road for about only 200 meters to get to an undisturbed place where a sign “no camping” stands. As absurd as it sounds, but here no ranger comes by to control. So if you want to sleep for free, here is the spot. Otherwise, excuses like “we arrived late at night” will always work.

This is the spot (zoom out):

Tip: refueling on the highways on the west coast

It may happen that road houses offer cheaper fuel than one would find in tourist locations, such as in Denham or Exmouth, as these places are relatively remote. So you should keep your eyes open and drive to these cheap gas stations. Especially if they are gas stations of large oil companies, e.g. Caltex, BP or Shell. Avoid refueling in Exmouth or Denham.

From Geraldton southwards, the fuel reaches normal prices again. This is also where proper vegetation starts again, so trees and meadows that thrive and not just red sand, where only a few bushes survive.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

Carnavon

There is not really much to see in Carnavon. Even though Australians always find a reason why they should stay in a village. But fuel here is relatively cheap and right on the main road, there is a Woolworths where you can stock up your groceries.

Any questions? Leave a comment below!

Exmouth | Coral Bay | Cape Range | Ningaloo Reef - best tips for everyone backpacking around Australia in a van. #vanlife #backpacking #australia Exmouth is best known for the Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef and Coral Bay…

[travelgott-blog]

Who drives by car through Western Australia, will probably stop at the Kalbarri National Park. We share our experiences and have some tips for you. Let’s start this post with a great advice.

Backpacker Tip: Rest Area on the National Route 1 Highway

A particularly recommended rest stop on National Route 1 is the Galena Bridge Camp Area (or Camp 444 in the book “Camps”). This rest area between Kalbarri and Shark Bay is optimal. It is located next to a river and during the winter months you can also make open fires here. In summer there is a hihgh danger of bush fires, this is why it’s not allowed to make fires during summer time. Trees provide sufficient shade and toilets are also available.

BBQ at Galena Bridge Camp Area

Beware of the many flies though, there can be crazy many flies. The service area is just outside Kalbarri, and those who are late can easily spend the night exploring Kalbarri in the morning.

This is where you find the rest area:

Kalbarri National Park

Kalbarri National Park is similar to that of Karijini. You can drive to some viewpoints and admire the gorges. In the gorges, a river flows through, where you can also jump in to cool down.

The Nature’s Window is the most popular sight to visit in Kalbarri. It is a stone arch that has been sculpted naturally. But keep in mind, to see this, you have to drive nearly 30km of unpaved and eroded road.

The entrance fee is $11 – as in all national parks in Western Australia. You pay via a collection box. It is known for a fact, that some visitors decide not to put the money in the collection box.

In one day you can see everything there is to see. Above all, you will see lots of flies – be warned (and you might wanna carry a net to protect your face).

Kalbarri Town

In the village of Kalbarri you have the opportunity to buy food at the IGA Supermarket. The bay is also pretty nice and you can chill out here on the beach between many fishermen. The sea is very stormy outside the bay.

Sleeping in the Car in Kalbarri

For all who want to stay here and sleep in the van: The ranger here is very reasonable and does not seem to give out many fines ;-). We got disturbed by the ranger while setting up our van for the night. He not only didn’t fine us, but told us a better place where the sleep.

The town is really small. So just drive a bit around and find a place, where you don’t disturb anyone.

Feeding the Pelicans

Kalbarri advertises to feed Pelicans every day. This event takes place in the bay right in the center of the town. However, it is advised to inform yourself, if Pelicans are actually in town, otherwise, you will go there for nothing. A gold coin donation is appreciated to cover the cost of fish.

Kalbarri National Park Coast

River in Kalbarri – Kunbun Brook

Kalbarri Nature’s Window

Kalbarri Town

Flies in Kalbarri

Pink Lake near Kalbarri

A few miles south of Kalbarri is a Pink Lake. When it’s warm enough, this lake is really pink. Responsible for this are beta-carotins, which e.g. also give the carrots their color. The lake itself is not much worth visiting, but it is fascinating if it has a pink color.

The Pink Lake is about 65km south of Kalbarri.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

Do you have any questions? Want to share tipps? Leave a comment below!

Kalbarri National Park: Experience Report and Tips for Backpackers #Kalbarri Who drives by car through Western Australia, will probably stop at the Kalbarri National Park. We share our experiences and have some tips for you.

[travelgott-blog]

Between Sydney and Melbourne & Jervis Bay National Park

Jervis Bay is THE national park between Sydney and Melbourne! Check it out and more. #backpacking #australia #backpackingaustralia

If you are traveling on the route between Sydney and Melbourne, it is advisable to stop at the Jervis Bay National Park. We recommend driving along the coast from Sydney to the park. An alternative route is described below.

Jervis Bay National Park

Jervis Bay National Park is located 200 kilometers south of Sydney and is famous for its white beaches. Supposedly, it is the whitest beaches in the…

[travelgott-blog]

On the west coast of Australia, the Shark Bay region is a must-see: Monkey Mia is known for dolphin feeding, Francois Peron National Park especially for trips with four-wheel drive vehicles, the stromatolites are the oldest living creatures in the world and with some luck, you can watch sharks in the Shark Bay.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

Denham – Shark Bay

Denham is a small holiday town and the main town of the peninsula of Shark Bay. The waterfront is very well designed. There you will find a gas station and bottle shops. The gasoline is relatively cheap here. The bottle shops, however, rather expensive.

In Denham there are public toilets with showers. However, this is no drinking water, because the water contains salt. Numerous anglers try their luck from the shore. In this promenade street (Knight Ter) is also the Visitor Center. Here you can reserve a free campsite for one night.

Sunset Shark Bay

Gratis Camping – Shark Bay

Camping and sleeping in the car

Although these campgrounds, which you can rent at the visitor center, have no sanitary facilities and are more like a parking lot, they have the advantages that they are completely free of charge and you do not have to worry about being woken up by the ranger in the morning. All you need is the name and car number – and you can sleep in the car for free and legally. If you ask, you might get a camp spot for a second night as well.

These camps are all located just outside the city, which is why Denham offers these spots for free – so no backpackers are sleeping illegally in the streets in the middle of Denham.

Eagle Bluff

Eagle Bluff is one of those camping. In Eagle Bluff you are most likely to spot sharks from the cliffs of the shore. However, there is no guarantee! The bay of Eagle Bluff is worthwhile seeing anyways.

35km before Denham is a rest area, where you can spend the night undisturbed – even without registration in the Visitor Office in Denham. Here it is worth stopping for a moment and to go to the beach.

Francois Peron National Park

For the Francois Peron National Park a four-wheel drive vehicle is absolutely helpful because otherwise, you can drive only a few meters in the park. All you get to see is a former farm and, the highlight, the hot tub thermal water with about 40°C to swim in.

The water is natural, but the tub is artificial and has been left unchanged probably since farm times. Accordingly, it got a bit old and rusted. Nothing exciting. The hot tub is set on a manicured, green lawn – a rarity in these latitudes. There are also 2 barbecues.

In short, the Francois Peron Park is nothing extraordinary for the ones owning a normal or van, but you can spend a relaxing day under the sun in the warm water with barbecue here. If you own a 4WD you most certainly have a lot of fun driving through the sand and dunes of the park.

Francois Peron National Park – Western Australia

Backpacker Tipp

Admission for Francois Peron is $11 per vehicle. Payment is made via a collection box. TIP: Do not pay the $11 when you enter the park. If you do not stay in the park for a long time chances of being caught are very low. If you get caught, you only get a warning and you can still pay for it afterward. In the worst case, you will be sent a penalty to your address. So you should not have any immediate consequences if you do not pay those $11.

Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia is known for dolphin feeding, which takes place daily from around 8:00 to 12:00. There is practically only a parking opportunity and the entrance fee is 8 dollars per person.

People can easily be smuggled into in the back of a van. The parking ticket has a validity of 48 hours, with which you can drive directly to the parking lot the next day without being in line. You will not be stopped if you do that. The hard-boiled among us can try so without paying directly to the parking lot. However, you are supposed to put the ticket in the windscreen.

Another option to experience Monkey Mia for little money is to buy or sell a ticket, which is still valid for the next day.

You would expect the dolphin feeding event to be more spectacular than it actually is. A few dolphins come ashore, where already a horde of people are waiting for them. You are told something about them and then some of them are fed.

However, they get fed very little food so that they do not get used to it and stay as wild as possible. The fact that the dolphins are wild also proves the fact that not always the same dolphins come and sometimes (but only sometimes) no dolphins come at all – that’s why the ticket is valid for 48 hours if dolphins shouldn’t show up one day.

If you would like to see dolphins, this is exactly right for you, but you should not expect too much.

Dolphin – Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia – Dolphin Feeding

The Stromatolites

In numerous guidebooks and on the road to the Shark Bay, you will read about the stromatolites in the Hamelin Pool in the Shark Bay.

The stromatolites are an ancient form of life. Those at Shark Bay are with 3.5 million years the oldest life form in the world. Land creatures owe their existence to the Stromatolites, as they produced enough oxygen millions of years ago so that today we have about 20% oxygen in the atmosphere, which makes the life of human beings actually possible.

Stromatolites during High Tide

Stromatolites – Shark Bay, WA

Stromatolites – Hamelin Pool

The stromatolites look like stones and are black. A short jetty passes over them. You are best advised to visit at low tide – a quick stop here is enough. Next to it is a small shop that sells just about everything overpriced.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

Do you have questions about the Shark Bay? Leave your comment below!

Secret travel tips if you are planning on visiting the Shark Bay, Monkey Mia, Francois Peron and the Stromatolites in Western Australia. #backpacking #wa #vanlife On the west coast of Australia, the Shark Bay region is a must-see: Monkey Mia is known for dolphin feeding, …

[travelgott-blog]

Phillip Island: Travel Guide and Experiences for Travelers

There are some awesome and free things to do on Phillip Island. Check it out! #backpacking #australia #australiabackpacking #travelgott #vanlife

About 2 hours south of Melbourne is Phillip Island. Here usually the MotoGP Grand Prix takes place in October.

The island is quite small and all well signposted. Anyone arriving for MotoGP can hardly miss the racetrack. If you need accommodation, you should book it in advance at this time of the year.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

Fairy Penguins on Phillip Island

But not…

[travelgott-blog]

A few kilometers from the Pink Lake of Kalbarri, is the Principality of Hutts River. To get here you can just follow the signs from Pink Lake. Much of the road is not paved, but still easy to drive. The journey takes about 45 minutes.

The Hutts River Principality is a farm that left the state of Australia in 1970 and is now considered as independent – even though it has not been officially recognized by any government.

History of Hutts River

The beginning of the independence was a dispute with the Australian government: the farmer, today’s Prince Leonard, should give land to the government. He successfully fought against it in court and declared the property of his farm to be independent. The Australian government had no choice but to recognize this.

Even today, Leonard really does not have to pay any taxes to the Australian government or anything like that because he was able to legally defend his action. Even the Australian Post is required to carry letters with his stamps.

His royal highness has also given political lectures at universities. Farmers who attempted to copy his concept have landed in jail.

A Visit to the Principality

HRH Leonard of Hutts River

Chair of HRH of Hutts River

National Anthem of the Principality of Hutts River

Hutt River Province

The visit to the Prince in Hutts River costs $2. You also get a visa stamped in your passport. As a rule, the prince himself welcomes the visitors and leads them through the premises of Hutts River. A visit definitely pays off, just to see this craziness. But it does not take longer than a few hours to do that. The visit times are daily from 9 o’clock in the morning to 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

Should Prince Leonard have no time for his visitors, another member of the royal family will lead visitors through the rooms.

There are also public toilets with a hot shower. So if you need a shower, this is just the perfect place to do so for backpackers – and that’s all included in the $2 visa fee. Hutts River also offers camping facilities and is therefore listed in the camps books.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

Share your experiences in the comments below!

Have you been to the Principality of Hutts River? What is your experience? This is ours! #huttsriver #backpacking #vanlife #australia #wa A few kilometers from the Pink Lake of Kalbarri, is the Principality of Hutts River…

[travelgott-blog]

The Karijini National Park is located about 300 kilometers south of Port Hedland. The special thing about Karijini Park, which some consider to be one of the best national parks in Australia, are the deep gorges in which water has accumulated and it is also safe to take a bath.

Karijini is really worth seeing – convince yourself with these pictures.

Badesee im Karijini

Wandern auf Gesteinsschichten im Karijini

Karijini Nationalpark

Karijini Nationalpark

Schutz vor Fliegen in Australien

Entrance Fee

The entrance fee for Karijini is $11. The cheapest camping (Dales Campground) is $7 per night per person.

Backpacker Tip

The $11 entry fee is collected through a collection box. So no one controls directly whether it is paid or not. If you don’t pay the 11 dollar, no one will notice.

The $7 camping fee will be checked. So: Once you have arrived in the Karijini you drive directly into the campsite, because otherwise you have no accommodation in the National Park in case they get booked out, unless you leave the park at night, which is not recommended because of the long distances you have to drive.

This way you pay the camping fee, but not the national park fee. Arriving at the campsite, you can also cheat a bit on the number of people. The office is not directly at the entrance, but a bit remote.

Therefore, people can enter and leave the camping without being checking. Instead of e.g. 4 people you can only pay for 2.

Camping in Karijini

The camping itself doesn’t offer much at all: barely any shade, very basic toilets, no water, during the day only heat and flies. Not even garbage cans are there, since everyone should dispose their own garbage.

In order to take a shower, you go to the small lakes nearby. This is right next to the camping in the Dales Gorge: There are three small lakes, which are connected via a short hike.

So basically, by paying for the camping, you buy only the permission to stay overnight – no luxury included. However, there are more expensive campings with a higher standard as well.

Hikes

In the unpaved area of the camping, the canyons are more impressive. During the dry season, driving there without a 4 wheel drive can be done (you may ask at the campsite about the road conditions). In the canyons you can see exactly the layers that have been formed over millions of years.

Different hikes lead down into the canyons – just follow the signs.

Surviving in Karijini Park

A helpful map of the National Park is available at the park entrance to take away (where you should pay the $11 entrance fee).

Water

In the national park, there is only one possibility to refill your water reserves. The water should be boiled before, which is also written there. In our experience, however, it is good quality. This water point is located near the Visitor Center.

Shower

For 4 dollars you can also take a shower at the visitor center. It closes however already at 4 o’clock.

Attention: Flies everywhere!

If you have problems with flies, a fly net will be very helpful for you. Depending on the season, they can really kill you and are really aggressive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about this topic? Write to us, we will answer them.

Can you visit the Karijini without 4WD?

Yes, the Karijini can be visited during the dry season (April to October) without any problems also without four-wheel drive. During the rainy season you should avoid this area with just a regular car. If you have a rental car, make sure that you can drive the car on unpaved roads, as the majority in Karijini is unpaved.

Tom Price

Tom Price is the first village west of the Karijini National Park. There is nothing to see here, but one should, whether from the west or the east, definitely stock up on groceries here. The supermarket here (Coles) is very cheap. You get e.g. loaves of bread that were priced at $ 4 for just a dollar.

Moreover, it is the only city in the area. Buying food and drinks can certainly not hurt. Refueling is also cheap.

The city basically exists only because of the mining industry. The one thing which is really expensive is accommodation. But there is really no reason to spend the night here.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

Do you have tips about Karijini to share? Please do so in the comments!

Karijini National Park - The Travel Guide for #backpackers if you are traveling around #WA. #backpacking #vanlife #sleepinginthecar The Karijini National Park is located about 300 kilometers south of Port Hedland. The special thing about Karijini Park, which some consider to be one of the best national parks in Australia, are the deep gorges in which water has accumulated and it is also safe to take a bath.

[travelgott-blog]

Brisbane is a beautiful city right by a river. And if you follow our advice, you can camp right on the river and in front of the city skyline without any problems.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

Kangaroo Point: Free Camping in the Middle of Brisbane

The Lower River Terrace at Kangaroo Point has a free parking limit of 4 hours. Four hours are already a lot, but the parking time is not enforced. Kangaroo Point is also popular among local people. Climbers, joggers, slackliners, BBQers and backpackers meet here.

BBQ zu Nacht – Kangaroo Point

Brisbane River – von Kangaroo Point

Kangaroo Point Brisbane bei Nacht

Kangaroo Point – BBQs und Klettern

You should be able to sleep undisturbed here. In the evening you can have a barbecue at the electric BBQs and have breakfast in the morning at the benches. You are always right by the river with perfect views of the skyline of Brisbane. We believe these are invaluable backpacker moments, where you feel like a king.

Nearby there are also public toilets – but no showers. For free showers, you’ll need to walk 10 minutes to the Streets Beach on the South Bank Lagoon – a very beautiful place.

This is where Kangaroo Point is:

Streets Beach: Lagoon South Bank

From Kangaroo Point, it is just a short walk to the city center or to the Streets Beach on the South Bank, where there is an artificial yet excellent lagoon, and the Ferris Weel of Brisbane.

Brisbane Streets Beach South Bank

Brisbane Sonnenuntergang – Travelgott

Brisbane Skyline – Travelgott

In addition to BBQs and benches, there are also plenty of public toilets and showers – but with cold water. Streets Beach is a super designed lagoon on the Brisbane River with places to chill and a water park. If you are sleeping in the car at Kangaroo Point or you park there than it’s just a 10-minutes walk along the river to reach the lagoon.

Casino Brisbane

The few casinos in Australia are perfectly equipped. Like the casino in Melbourne, the casino in Brisbane is open 24 hours a day. Here you do not necessarily gamble and put everything on red, but there are of course also restaurants and bars.

The Brisbane Casino is located on Elizabeth Street at Victoria Bridge, across the street from Streets Beach and The Wheel of Brisbane.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

Backpacker Tip: Live Sports 24/7

Who would love to follow sports at European or US times, or sports, which are not popular in Australia like soccer, has the best odds to do so at the Brisbane casino.

For example a match of the Bundesliga, Serie A, Liga Liga or English football? Or the European Championship or the World Cup? In the sports bar in the casino you will definitely find a screen that shows your event. Otherwise just ask the bartender who will search for the right channel – they are very well equipped.

In large cities in Australia casinos are generally the best starting point for live sporting events.

Brisbane Library

If you are looking for a quiet place to work or need internet access, such as to write a résumé, you should try it in the state library of Brisbane.

The library is not far from the South Bank and is generously equipped. The staff there are also extremely helpful when you need to print something.

Sightseeing Tip: Hinze Dam

The area around Hinze Dam on Advancetown Lake, just behind the Gold Coast, is perfect for a day trip from Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

Wandern neben Hinze Dam

The Best Lookout in the World – Australia

Waterfalls – Hinze Dam

Jump in the rivers – Hinze Dame, Brisbane

Wasserfall with rainbow – Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam – Australia

The Hinze Dam supplies drinking water for the about 500,000 inhabitants of the Gold Coast. The villages behind Hinze Dam, especially Springbrook, invite for hikes similar to those of the Blue Mountains near Sydney. There are some outlooks here that also deliver what they promise – an awesome view.

Even the “Best Lookout Ever” (it’s really called like this) is probably one of the best in Australia. From there you can see the skyline of Surfers Paradise, the Pacific Ocean and even all the way down to Byron Bay.

The area is an insider tip for tourists and therefore relatively quiet, especially during the week. All the lookouts and hikes in Springbrook National Park can be made easy within a day.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

Which tips can you share about Brisbane? Leave a comment below.

Wanna watch the World Cup today in Brisbane? The casino is the place to be. Check out the article and find out where to camp in your car. #vanlife #backpacking #backpackingaustralia Brisbane is a beautiful city right by a river. And if you follow our advice, you can camp right on the river and in front of the city skyline without any problems.

[travelgott-blog]

The Pinnacles Desert is located about 200km north of Perth. It is a desert with unique rock formations. The stones are obviously, although not officially, shaped like a penis.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

A Visit at the Pinnacles

Fahren in den Pinnacles

Mit Auto durch Pinnacles

Pinnacle oder Riesenpenis?

The Pinnacles in Western Australia

The Pinnacles, WA

The creation of the Pinnacles is not known with 100% certainty. Various theories can be found in the Visitor Center. You can walk through the area of the pinnacles or you can drive with your own vehicle along the designated way.

The entrance fee for this national park, like everywhere else in Western Australia, is $11. In the case of the Pinnacles you cannot avoid it.

The pinnacles are absolutely worth seeing and unique in the world. Moreover, they are not in the middle of nowhere but can be easily reached from Perth in about 2 hours. Even organized bus tours are offered from Perth, should someone not have a car available.

Backpacker Advice

With a little luck and depending on the day of the week (usually on weekends) you can furthermore get the entrance of a second national park with it (for example Yanchep National Park), if you purchase a ticket to the Pinnacles.

Yanchep Nationalpark

Yanchep National Park is just north of Perth. There are certainly special reasons why the park was turned into a national park, but these are not so easy to spot.

One of these reasons is the shape of the terrain, which was formed over the years. For ordinary visitors this is relatively unspectacular. In the park there are some caves, which you can enter only with Rangers during the guided tours. These caves are also rented as special venues for private events.

Koala lässt seine Seele baumeln

Kängurus im Yanchep Park – zum Streicheln nahe

Lazy Koala in Yanchep Nationalpark

If you decide to visit this park, then you should be aware that it will not be an adventure trip, but a relaxing day in the countryside by a lake. Residents of the nearby city of Perth use the park as a weekend destination and on Saturdays you may also spot a wedding party here to end the celebration.

In the park there are some barbeques. Kangaroos have already lost their fear of humans and are easier to find than to hide from them. The park also has a koala habitat. Koalas can be watched “living in the wild” here. Not quite as wild, because they are fed and they are kept only in a certain part of the park.

Read more: Our travel guide to the Kalbarri National Park.

Conclusion to Yanchep National Park

The park is perfect for a leisurely, hassle-free day, including some Australian animals and BBQ, before moving on to hectic Perth or saying definitely goodbye to Perth.

Do you have questions or comments? Please leave them below!

Our Pinnacles Desert & Yanchep Nationalpark Travel Guide. Visit the Yanchep Park for free. #backpacking #backpackingaustralia #vanlife The Pinnacles Desert is located about 200km north of Perth. It is a desert with unique rock formations.

[travelgott-blog]

Broome: The Best Tips for Travelers and Backpackers

Broome: The Best Tips for Backpackers. #broome #backpacking #vanlife #backpackingaustralia

Broome is an absolute tourist city. 15,000 people live here, while in high season (May-August) it can reach up to 60,000. At that time, life is made a little harder for backpackers, if you want to stay in your car or van. But don’t worry, rangers are not very strict here.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

Camping in the Car

There are quite a few spots in Broome, where you can…

[travelgott-blog]

The city of Perth is very popular among backpackers. If you work here you can earn a significantly higher amount of money than somehwere else in Australia. It is the most remote city in the world. It consists of only a few neighborhoods (Central Business District, Perth West, East Perth, etc.). The metropolitan area of Perth is home to around 1.5 million people.

In the CBD, short for Central Business District, the skylines of financial institutions and large companies are based. Outside of the CBD, the various neighborhoods are lined up. If you are in one of these, you hardly feel in a city, but rather in a sleepy village.

Read more: The full Australia Guide for Backpackers.

Kings Park & Perth Skyline

Skyline Perth

Perth Kings Park

Perth Skyline by Night

Perth Skyline

Kings Park – Perth

The skyline of Perth is best viewed from the shores of the Swan River in Kings Park. From there you have the city right in the background.

Parking in Perth

Parking in Perth is as expensive as in any city in Australia – even if backpackers do not always pay their traffic tickets. However, those who have a car registered in Western Australia will quickly leave the city behind or switch to public transportation, as they will be more likely to have to pay their fines in WA.

Sleeping in the Car

If you plan on sleeping in the car in Perth, there is plenty of places. As mentioned before, large parts of the city are rural areas, which small parks and retail areas. Drive a bit outside the city and you will find plenty of spots.

We are working on a more detailed post on sleeping in the car in Perth (as detailed as our other ones). If you can share any advice, please do so in the comments below. Like us also on Facebook, to get our updates.

Public Transport

The public network is called Transperth. Timetables etc. can be found at www.transperth.wa.gov.au. But you will soon realize that it is no pleasure to explore the city by public transportation.

A few buses in the city center are free, but they are really only in the CBD, where you can walk everywhere. Otherwise, you pay per zone: For a zone AUD 1.80 (Perth and associated neighborhoods), 2 zones AUD 3.60, etc. 2 zones should, however, usually be sufficient. For example, if you want to travel from Fremantle to Perth, this includes 2 zones and you pay $3.60 per trip.

Systematic ticket controls for train passengers can only be found at the main train station “Perth”. There, however, every entering and exiting passenger is checked at the entrance to the station. Ticket inspections are sporadic at all other stations, but nevertheless, happen on a regular basis – be warned!

It also happens that they check in the trains as well. Driving without a valid ticket should be thought about twice in Perth. In the bus, the driver must be presented with a valid ticket or it can be bought there.

Paying for the public transport

At every major station or in kiosks you can also get the so-called Smartrider. On this magnetic card, you can put any amount of money, which you can use to pay the public transport system. The travel fees will be deducted automatically.

Attention: tag on – tag off! When entering a train station or boarding a bus, you have to “tag on”, where a magnetic reader reads the Smartrider. When leaving the vehicle or station, the “tag off” must not be forgotten. For this purpose, the Smartrider is held again to the magnetic reader and the corresponding fee is deducted automatically. If this is forgotten, the whole day’s fee will be deducted (about $10).

Working in Perth

Backpacker cars are hardly to see in Perth. This probably has something to do with the fact that there is relatively little to do in Perth itself. Most travelers will start their Australia stay here or end it. If you plan to stay here for longer than you probably want to find a job in Perth.

If you’re looking for work, you should check out gumtree.com.au or seek.com.au regularly. It is easiest to find work in Perth during the high season between November and April.

Jobs in the hospitality sector are the most popular in Perth. Many jobs in this sector are posted on Gumtree.

Backpacker Tip

Our advice: It is best to walk through the city and ask directly in hotels or restaurants. Oftentimes it is the easiest and fastest way to find a job, or they can point you to a place, where they are looking for helping hands. Many times you can also see job offers hanging on the doors of restaurants.

Nightlife in Northbridge

Perth’s entertainment district is Northbridge. Here, where the restaurants are lined up next to bars, bars to clubs and clubs to restaurants, the city meets in the evenings. Attention: Make sure that you do not dress “too casual” over the weekend. Especially on shoes, they throw an eye in Perth. And from experience, we know that they do not like the brand Converse.

When you enter a pub, a photo of you is taken in pretty much every nightclub or bar (fingerprints do not seem to be well received by visitors, but the photo is obviously ok).

As if that was not enough, tourists have to show their passport. It has to be a passport, since they do not accept national ID cards or foreign driver licenses!

So it can be quite possible, that the desire for the nightlife passes quickly here if you have to be constantly on guard not to lose your identity in Australia.

Northbridge also has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine. Many Italians are here (but where not?) And if you like it a bit cheaper, here you can find Asian restaurants like sand on the beach. Asians offer good food at fair prices. In the city center cheap snacks (less than $10) are hard to find.

Of course, there are also a few bars in the CBD, but the procedure for entering them in the evening is the same everywhere: showing your passport, taking a photo, then dancing. If this is not done, you will not get far on Saturdays. On Fridays, you can afford to discuss with the bouncer let you. During the week it is very easy to get in everywhere.

Internet

Free internet is available in every McDonalds (if it works and it is not overloaded), or in the library of Perth. As a guest user you have 40 minutes per session available (actually per day, but they don’t really check on this). If all computers are occupied in the library, you can reserve a computer. You will receive the exact time as soon as one gets free. Libraries always offer free internet all around Australia, with a few exceptions.

Buying a Car in Perth

Many backpackers start their journey in Perth before heading north or east. Most arrive here during the fall when it gets cold in Europe and summer starts in Australia. Accordingly, it is relatively easy to get sell his car or buy one at this time of the year!

ADVICE: If your car is registered in Western Australia, it is advisable, once you’re in the state, to take one or two “change of ownership forms”, which you will need to resell the car. These forms are available at any post office in Western Australia.

Fremantle

Fremantle is a nice town, located directly on the Indian Ocean south of Perth. The port of Perth is also in Fremantle. Accordingly, many containers are loaded and unloaded daily on freighters. By train, this suburb is easily accessible via the Fremantle Line from Perth.

Every year, many festivals are held there, including the Music Festival in January. Fremantle is also known for the markets where you can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, etc.

Especially in the summer, the main season, the town flourishes with all its restaurants and cafes. The easily digestible beer “Little Creatures” is brewed here. The brewery is freely accessible to everyone, and food is also served there.

The Fremantle Museum tells the story of the settlement around the Swan River. If you have time you can spend 30-60 minutes here. The entry is a gold coin – so 1 or 2 dollars (because these 2 coins are golden). However, every other coin also works – you throw them into a collection box.

If you want to check out more things to do in Fremantle, you can contact the local tourist information office on the main square. There is also free Wi-Fi.

Cottesloe Beach

The most famous and popular beach in Perth is most probably Cottesloe Beach. What the Copacabana is for Rio, Cottesloe is for Perth – the beach is practically right by the town. Especially young people meet here during the day.

Seagulls at the Cottesloe Beach

And this is the Cottesloe Beach on the map:

Swan Valley

The Swan Valley is located on the outskirts northeast of Perth. There are many wineries, restaurants, coffee producers etc. in this region. It is actually not a valley, as the name implies.

Vineyards to visit in Perth

If you have some time in Perth and want to escape the city, you can try the different specialties that are marketed here, or just go out for a good meal. Recommended if you are in Perth for longer!

You find the Swan Valley here on the map:

Read more: If you are in Perth, you should definitely read our guide about the nearby Pinnacles and Margaret River!

Which tips can you share about Perth? Please write in the comments below!

Perth: A Tourist Guide especially for Backpackers #Australia #fruitpicking #SleepforFree #Vanlife #WorkingHoliday The city of Perth is very popular among backpackers. If you work here you can earn a significantly higher amount of money than somehwere else in Australia.

[travelgott-blog]

Margaret River: Surf, Wine and Backpacker Jobs

Margaret River: Surf, Wine and Backpacker Jobs. #backpacking #australia #backpackingaustralia #travelgott #vanlife

Margaret River is “only” 4 hours south of Perth and is therefore a popular destination for people in Perth. The place is one of the world’s best surfing spots, and the area is known as a wine-growing area and for producers of other goodies and sweets. Backpackers find jobs in Margaret River especially in the wine growing sector.

Read more: Our full Australia guide you can find here.

Surfing in…

[travelgott-blog]

So einfach ist es in Hostels flach gelegt zu werden

So einfach ist es in Hostels flach gelegt zu werden. #hostels #backpacking #hostellife #hostelsex

Mein Name ist Marco, ich bin ein Backpacker aus Italien und das ist meine Hostel-Geschichte. Diese Ereignisse sind in Cairns, Australien passiert.

Ich verbrachte 2 Monate im Outback irgendwo zwischen Melbourne und Cairns. Trotz des sehr minimalistischen Lebens, dem Leben in einem Van und ein paar Scheiben Brot pro Tag, wurde mir der rote Sand zu viel – im Auto, in meinen Schuhen, Klamotten und…

[travelgott-blog]

test

test

[travelgott-blog]

Margaret River: Surfen, Wein und Arbeiten für Backpacker

Margaret River: Surfen, Wein und Arbeiten für Backpacker. #backpacking #margaretriver

Margaret River liegt “nur” 4 Stunden südlich von Perth und ist deshalb für Leute in Perth ein beliebtes Ausflugsziel. Der Ort zählt zu den weltbesten Surf-Spots, außerdem ist die Gegend bekannt als Weinanbaugebiet und für Produzenten anderer Leckereien und Süßigkeiten. Backpacker arbeiten in Margaret River vor allem im Weinanbau.

Mehr dazu: Unseren gesamten Australien Guide findest du hier.

Surfen